Paint brush protector

ABSTRACT

A tension-bearing clamp protects bristles, pads, rollers and other applicator elements of a paintbrush and may even reshape damaged bristles back to a fine point. The clamp comprises a first protective plate section pivotally affixed to a second protective plate section at first ends thereof. The first and second plate protective sections are biased in a top-and-bottom closed configuration, wherein the second ends of the first and second plate sections are in contact with one another. The first ends of the protective sections may include handles to allow opening and closing of the clamp. The first end of the clamp includes an opening so that the bristles of a paintbrush can be inserted therein. The bristles can be held between the first and second sections when the clamp is in a closed configuration to protect the bristles from damage and to reshape damaged bristles back to a fine point.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of applicator protectors, and especially paint brush protectors that protect both the paint brushes, pads and rollers after use and prevents transfer of liquids (gels, pastes, and any other transferable materials that can be supported on the applicator and then released/transferred by physical contact with the applicator) from the paint brushes to other surfaces after use and/or cleaning of the paint brushes. The invention also relates to the reshaping of the applicators after use, as by preventing or correcting curling of applicator elements (e.g., bristles and foam).

2. Background of the Art

It is important to properly care for and store paintbrushes (especially after use and/or cleaning with solvents) to prevent the bristles from becoming damaged or from allowing the brushes to accidentally transfer adsorbed liquid to other surfaces. If the bristles become bent or broken during storage between uses, the paintbrush may not make clean strokes during subsequent use and may reduce the quality of the painter's work. As a result, a painter must replace broken or damaged paintbrushes, which can be costly and inconvenient. Accordingly, the device helps to protect the bristles of a paintbrush during storage and to even reshape damaged bristles back to a fine point is desired. Additionally, if the brushes are stored with some residual paint or cleaning solvent on them, these liquids may transfer to other surfaces during storage, which can cause unwanted damage to other surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A protective device for applicator devices (material applicator, such as for liquids, gels, pastes, powders, etc.) that have an elongate applicator surface and a handle, the protective device may have:

-   -   a) two opposed protective plates, each protective plate having a         proximal end and a distal end, and an interior and exterior         surface;     -   b) a hinged joint connecting the two opposed protective plates         at their proximal ends;     -   c) each of the two opposed protective plates having an extended         pressure receiving element on its exterior surface that extends         from the exterior surface past the proximal end, the pressure         receiving elements being configured such that when pressure is         applied to the pressure receiving elements past the proximal         ends of the two opposed protective plates, distal ends of the         two opposed protective plates are moved away from each other;         and     -   d) and an opening in the hinged joint allowing a handle to         extend through the opening past the proximal ends of the two         opposed protective plates while the elongate applicator surface         is protected between the two opposed protective plates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a liquid applicator protective device (e.g., a clamp) in a closed configuration.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a liquid applicator protective device (e.g., a clamp) in an open configuration.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a paintbrush positioned for insertion into the opening of a liquid applicator protective device (e.g., a clamp).

FIG. 4A shows a side view of a paintbrush inserted into the opening of a liquid applicator protective device (e.g., a clamp).

FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of a paintbrush inserted into the opening of a liquid applicator protective device (e.g., a clamp).

FIG. 5 shows appropriately different sized protective devices associated with different size paint brushes.

FIG. 5A shows an exploded side view of a paint brush before insertion into an opened liquid applicator protective device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protective device for liquid applicator devices that have an elongate applicator surface and a handle. The elongate applicator surface typically may be bristles on a paint brush, foam pads (flat or tapered), and even roller surfaces on the ends of the handles. The protective device may include:

-   -   a) two opposed protective plates, each protective plate having a         proximal end and a distal end, and an interior and exterior         surface;     -   b) a hinged joint or connecting element connecting the two         opposed protective plates at their proximal ends;     -   c) each of the two opposed protective plates should have an         extended pressure receiving element (e.g., plates, handles,         levers, and the like) on its exterior surface that extends from         the exterior surface (from the front, middle region or if         relatively rigidly attached to the opposed plate, at the         proximal ends of the plates) past the proximal end. The pressure         receiving elements should be configured such that when pressure         is applied (e.g., mechanically or manually) to the pressure         receiving elements past the proximal ends of the two opposed         protective plates, distal ends of the two opposed protective         plates are moved away from each other. There should also be d)         an opening in the hinged joint allowing a handle to extend         through the opening past the proximal ends of the two opposed         protective plates while the elongate applicator surface is         protected between the two opposed protective plates.

The hinged joint should provide a first separation distance between the proximal ends of the two opposed protective plates, for reasons explained in greater detail herein. The hinged joint should maintain a tension against and between the distal ends of the two opposed protective plates in the absence of pressure being applied to the pressure receiving elements. This tension effectively keeps the protective device in a closed position so that the applicator of the enclosed brush is not accessible from a position perpendicular to the elongate applicator surface. The sides of the opposed protective plates may remain open (as shown herein) in the closed position, or side panels (not shown) may abut to close the sides between the two opposed panels when in a closed position. The side panels would likely separate when the protective device was in the open position, with the distal ends of the two opposed protective plates separated from each other.

The compositions of the opposed protective plates, the hinged joint and the pressure receiving elements are independently selected. Typically available material may be selected from the group consisting of metals, polymeric materials, composite materials, ceramics and even wood. The interior surfaces of the two opposed protective plates may have organic solvent resistant interior surfaces because of the compositions themselves or because of coatings applied to the surfaces. Fluorinated polymer materials, polysiloxanes, acrylics or polyurethane solvent-resistant coating may be used, for example.

The protective device may have the pressure receiving elements attached by hinges to the exterior surfaces of the two opposed protective plates, and the hinges may allow the pressure receiving elements to rotate away from and back towards the exterior surfaces of the two opposed protective plates. The protective device and the hinged joint and pressure receiving elements may be configured so that manual pressure against the pressure receiving elements can separate the distal ends of the two opposed protective plates to a second distance that is at least equal to seventy-five percent of the first separation distance or equal to or in excess of the first separation distance. This separation of the distal ends of the two opposed protective plates is the open or opened position of the protective device.

The protective device may have dimensions sufficient to accommodate various sizes of liquid applicators (e.g., the paint brushes) as known in the art. Typically, the most common sizes of liquid applicators can be accommodated wherein the opening has dimensions of between 2 and 15 centimeters parallel to the two opposed protective plates and between 1 and 5 centimeters perpendicular to the two opposed protective plates. Smaller dimensions are possible for example, with artist brushes, and larger dimensions could be required with commercial sized applicators.

The protective device may have other configurations to allow for accommodation of uniquely shaped elongated applicator elements (e.g., rounded, rectangular, tapered brushes) and therefore the shapes of the two opposed protective plates may be varied. For example, the two opposed protective plates may be essentially flat plates, the two opposed protective plates may be essentially convex plates, with the exterior surfaces of the two opposed protective plates extending away from each other to form an enlarged pocket between the two opposed plates when the distal ends of the two opposed protective plates are in contact with each other, and the two opposed protective plates may be essentially concave plates, with the exterior surfaces of the two opposed protective plates extending towards each other to form a compressive pocket between the two opposed plates when the distal ends of the two opposed protective plates are in contact with each other.

The protective device would typically be used to have a used paint brush having bristles thereon (or a foam pad or roller) positioned with the bristles between the two opposed protective plates and a handle of the paint brush extending through the opening. The protective device may have the interior surfaces of the two opposed protective plates apply compressive pressure to free ends of the bristles on the paint brush to assist in straightening out bristles that have been displaced, bent or curled during previous use or storage. The opposed protective plates also prevent pressure against the applicator to prevent distortion or bending during storage.

Reference to the Figures will assist in a further understanding of the technology. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a liquid applicator protective device 100 (e.g., a clamp) in a closed configuration. The device 100 is shown with a first opposed protective plate 102 and a second opposed protective plate joined through a hinge or joint 106. The open space 112 between the two opposed protective plates 102 a 102 b is shown. There are two pressure receiving elements 108 a 108 b attached to the outer surfaces of the opposed protective plates (here the attachment to plate 102 is shown) through hinge joints 116 with ends 118 of the pressure receiving elements 108 a 108 b attached through the hinge joints 116. The ends 114 a 114 b of the two opposed protective plates 102 a 102 b, respectively are shown. Pressure on the two pressure receiving elements 108 a 108 b (here shown as folding handles) will cause the distal ends 114 a 114 b to separate, forming an open position for the device.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a liquid applicator protective device 100 (e.g., a clamp) in an open configuration. Pressure on the two pressure receiving elements 108 a 108 b has caused the distal ends 114 a 114 b to separate, forming an open position with an open space 112 a for the device 100 with an enlarged space 122 between the distal ends 114 a 114 b having been formed. The applied pressure has caused rotation of distal end 114 a in the angular direction 120 a and rotation of distal end 114 b in the angular direction 120 b. The pressure receiving elements may also be extensions or overlays on the opposed protective plates 102 a 102 b as a unitary plate acting as both the opposed protective plate and pressure receiving elements.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a paintbrush 130 positioned for insertion into the opening 110 of a liquid applicator protective device 100 (e.g., a clamp), with the brush 132 having its brush end 134 extending into the opening 110. Also shown are the two opposed interior surfaces 136 with organic solvent resistant surfaces.

FIG. 4A shows a side view of a paintbrush 130 inserted into the opening (not viewable) behind the joint 106 of a liquid applicator protective device 100 (e.g., a clamp) in a closed position. The two distal ends 114 a 114 b of the opposed plated are touching and applying pressure against the brush end 134 between the two plates 102 104.

FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of a paintbrush 130 inserted into the opening 106 of a liquid applicator protective device 100 (e.g., a clamp). The two distal ends 114 a 114 b of the opposed plated are touching with a minimal spacing or opened space 112 between the two opposed protective plates 102 104.

FIG. 5 shows appropriately different sized protective devices 100 a 100 b respectively associated with different size paint brushes 130 a 130 b.

FIG. 5A shows an exploded side view of a paint brush 130 before insertion into an opened liquid applicator protective device. The separated ends 114 a 114 b, the opened space 112 a, the brush tip 134, and the angular rotations 120 a 120 b are shown.

Further description of the invention may include alternative language such as the clamp having closed and open configurations. The clamp may include a first section (e.g., protective plate) pivotally secured to a second section (opposed protective plate) at a first end (proximal end) thereof. The clamp may be biased in a closed configuration, wherein the second ends of the first and second sections (distal ends of the opposed protective plates) are in contact. Each section further may include a handle thereon, wherein a user can squeeze the handles towards one another in order to move the clamp into an open configuration. The first end (proximal end) of the clamp (protective device) may include an opening thereon through which the paintbrush bristles can be inserted into the clamp or the handle of the brush inserted in an opposite direction to leave the bristles between the two opposed protective plates. The user can dispose the clamp in the open configuration and can insert the bristles into the clamp so that the bristles are secured between the second ends of the first and second sections when the clamp returns to the closed configuration. In this way, the clamp helps to protect the bristles and prevents the bristles from bending or otherwise becoming damaged. The clamp may be provided in different configurations, sizes, dimensions, materials and the like in order to suit various types of paintbrushes or other liquid applicators. Thus, in some embodiments the clamp comprises a rectangular configuration, while in other embodiments the clamp may have a square, conical, triangular, tapered or semi-circular configuration, among other geometric configurations. For example, if rollers are used, the flat protective plates would likely be constructed with a curvature that could compress and smooth out distortions in the rollers.

The opposed protective plates may have openings therein (in the faces) to allow ease of vapor passage to increase the rate of vapor drying of the bristles. The sides of the opposed protective plate (extending towards each other from the opposed protective plates) may be triangular faces that form closed sides at least along a portion of the sides towards, up to or past the leverage point or fulcrum for the hinge or joint.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. A protective device for applicator devices that have an elongate applicator surface and a handle, the protective device having an applicator with an elongate applicator surface and a handle thereon comprising: a) two opposed protective plates, each protective plate having a proximal end and a distal end, and an interior surface and exterior surface; b) a hinged joint connecting the two opposed protective plates at their proximal ends with the handle extending therethrough; c) each of the two opposed protective plates having an extended pressure receiving element an exterior surface of each of the two opposed protective plates that extends from the exterior surface past the proximal end, the pressure receiving elements being configured such that when pressure is applied to the pressure receiving elements past the proximal ends of the two opposed protective plates, distal ends of the two opposed protective plates are moved away from each other; and d) an opening in the hinged joint allowing the handle to extend through the opening past the proximal ends of the two opposed protective plates while the elongate applicator surface is protected between the two opposed protective plates; wherein an applicator device is present within the protective device with the handle of the applicator device extending through the opening in the hinged joint and the interior surfaces of the two opposed protective plates are flat plates that apply compressive pressure to the elongate applicator surface to straighten an end of the elongate applicator.
 2. The protective device of claim 1 wherein the hinged joint provides a first separation distance between the proximal ends of the two opposed protective plates.
 3. The protective device of claim 2 wherein the hinged joint maintains a tension against the distal ends of the two opposed protective plates in the absence of pressure being applied to the pressure receiving elements.
 4. The protective device of claim 3 wherein the compositions of the opposed protective plates, the hinged joint and the pressure receiving elements are independently selected from the group consisting of metals, polymeric materials, composite materials and wood.
 5. The protective device of claim 1 wherein the pressure receiving elements are attached by hinges to the exterior surfaces of the two opposed protective plates, and the hinges allow the pressure receiving elements to rotate away from and back towards the exterior surfaces of the two opposed protective plates.
 6. The protective device of claim 2 wherein the hinged joint and pressure receiving elements are configured so that manual pressure against the pressure receiving elements can separate the distal ends of the two opposed protective plates to a second distance that is at least equal to seventy-five percent of the first separation distance.
 7. The protective device of claim 2 wherein the hinged joint and pressure receiving elements are configured so that manual pressure against the pressure receiving elements can separate the distal ends of the two opposed protective plates to a second distance that is at least equal to the first separation distance.
 8. The protective device of claim 2 wherein the opening has dimensions of between 2 and 15 centimeters parallel to the two opposed protective plates and between 1 and 5 centimeters perpendicular to the two opposed protective plates.
 9. The protective device of claim 6 wherein the opening has dimensions of between 2 and 15 centimeters parallel to the two opposed protective plates and between 1 and 5 centimeters perpendicular to the two opposed protective plates.
 10. The protective device of claim 2 wherein the interior surfaces of the two opposed protective plates are essentially flat plates.
 11. The protective device of claim 2 wherein the two opposed protective plates are essentially convex plates, with the exterior surfaces of the two opposed protective plates extending away from each other to form an enlarged pocket between the two opposed protective plates when the distal ends of the two opposed protective plates are in contact with each other.
 12. The protective device of claim 2 wherein the two opposed protective plates are essentially concave plates, with the exterior surfaces of the two opposed protective plates extending towards each other to form a compressive pocket between the two opposed plates when the distal ends of the two opposed protective plates are in contact with each other.
 13. The protective device of claim 10 wherein the opening has dimensions of between 2 and 15 centimeters parallel to the two opposed protective plates and between 1 and 5 centimeters perpendicular to the two opposed protective plates.
 14. The protective device of claim 2 wherein the applicator device comprises a used paint brush having bristles thereon and the paint brush is positioned with the bristles between the two opposed protective plates without openings in faces of the opposed protective plates so that the two opposed protective plates compress the bristles of the applicator device and a handle of the paint brush extends through the opening in the hinged joint.
 15. The protective device of claim 14 wherein the interior surfaces of the two opposed protective plates apply compressive pressure to free ends of the bristles on the paint brush.
 16. The protective device of claim 1 wherein the interior surfaces of the two opposed protective plates are without openings in faces of the opposed plates and comprise organic solvent resistant interior surfaces.
 17. The protective device of claim 14 wherein the interior surfaces of the two opposed protective plates apply compressive pressure to foam material in the applicator devices. 